Marracudja has leading chance of success at Ascot says Nicholls

Scott Burton with a round up of the 'best of the rest' on what is a feast day for racing fans...

Ascot provides four of the ITV 7 races and the Listed Byrne Group Handicap Chase (2.25) looks set to be a fast and furious affair on good ground over the minimum trip.

The market is likely to be headed by the Paul Nicholls-trained Marracudja, who was just touched off by Oliver’s Hill on his return to action at Kempton 13 days ago.

Nicholls said: "He ran well over two-miles-two, which is probably his limit. A stiff two miles should suit him better and that was a nice prep for this so hopefully he has a leading chance."

Theinval ran four fine races in quick succession across three of the big spring festivals – finishing no worse than his third-placing in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham – and it would be no surprise to see him put up a bold show off top-weight.

Theinval’s trainer Nicky Henderson also has two very live chances in the Listed William Hill Handicap Hurdle (3.00).

Verdana Blue has the proven form having finished fourth in the mares’ novice hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, while Jenkins carries a big reputation as a Grade 1 bumper runner-up and the winner last season of two of his three novice hurdles.

Boynton aims to make up for lost time

Boynton (right) gets the better of War Decree in the 2016 Superlative Stakes at NewmarketCredit: Mark Cranham

Newmarket’s season comes to a close with a card featuring three Listed races.

Boynton defeated Breeders' Cup Classic runner War Decree in 2016's Group 2 Superlative Stakes, one of only three appearances as a juvenile.

Charlie Appleby clearly hasn’t found Boynton easy to train and managed to get him out for his belated seasonal reappearance at Kempton only last month. He returns him to Pattern company in the Weatherbys-backed Jane Seymour Stakes (2.55).

Amid all the Group 1 stars on show on British Champions Day, Balmoral Handicap winner Lord Glitters made his own big impression and now tackles the Price Bailey Ben Marshall Stakes.

David O’Meara has entered Lord Glitters in the Hong Kong Mile and a meeting against the similarly progressive Bravo Zolo should provide a fair test at this stage of his development.

Alex and Device major obstacles to Agrapart in France

Agrapart faces four rivals in the Grade 2 Betfred Rendlesham HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker

Lizzie Kelly will be hoping Agrapart can put in a slicker round of jumping than on his seasonal debut when returning to Auteuil for the Grade 1 Grand Prix d’Automne (2.45).

They finished well adrift of the top-class pair Device and Alex De Larredya in the Prix Camarthen over an extended two miles three furlongs last month and Agrapart should strip fitter here over what is bound to be a testing three miles.

Device has two verdicts over Alex De Larredya and, although still drawing a 4lb allowance as a five-year-old, is not as well treated as when landing the Camarthen by a length.

"I wish the race was being run at level weights but Alex De Larredya has got stronger with each run," said Francois Nicolle, who sent out Simon Munir’s horse to land this prize 12 months ago.

"The extra distance won’t bother him and if it rains that will be a help too."

Getting Giggy with it

A strong renewal of the Grade 2 MycarneedsA.com Chase at Down Royal for second-season novices is dominated by Gigginstown House Stud.

They own five of the eight runners, including experienced handicapper A Toi Phil, who beat Galway Plate winner Balko Des Flos when they clashed in the Grade 2 Champion Chase at Gowran Park in September.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Balko Des Flos, who was returning from a break last time, said yesterday: "Our horse is in good form and, while we have just over six lengths to make up on A Toi Phil, we're looking forward to a good run."

The Gigginstown quintet also includes Disko, a dual Grade 1 winner last season.

His trainer Noel Meade said: "Disko is in super form. He has done plenty of work but it will be a tough task giving weight to all the others on his start since April, and over a trip shorter than ideal."

The Enda Bolger-trained Ballyoisin is one of two runners for JP McManus, whose racing manager Frank Berry said: "Ballyoisin won well at Cork last time but this will be a step up in class so we'll have to see how he gets on. Trip and ground will suit."